Seat spring structure



April 22, 1941. E. w. scHLAPPRlTzI SEAT SPRING STRUCTURE Filed June 28,- 1939 INV EN TOR.

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Patented Apr. 22, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates generally to spring structures and refers more particularly to seat spring structures.

One of the essential objects of the present invention is to provide a spring structure of this type that is simple but strong and durable in construction, economical to manufacture and efficient in operation.

Another object is to provide a spring unit of the type mentioned that is a self-contained bottomless unit capable of being readily and conveniently packed for shipping purposes and adapted to be easily and quickly mounted in place upon a suitable supporting frame.

Another object is to provide a spring structure that is constructed in such a way that the desired cushioning eiect is obtained by the use of only one set of spring elements located at the rear of the unit.

Other objects, advantages and novel details of construction of this invention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a spring structure embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan View of the structure illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the structure shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are sectional views taken on the lines 4 4, 5--5 and 6 6, respectively, of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing, A is the forward crossbar, B' are the spring elements, C' are the longitudinally extending tie bars, E is the border frame, and 3U is the rear crossbar of a spring structure embodying my invention.

As shown, the forward crossbar A is a sheet metal stamping and is an inverted channel having closed ends A2 and A3, respectively.

The spring elements B are substantially C- shape and are formed from spring steel. These elements open forwardly and are arranged in a row extending transversely of the spring structure at the rear thereof. Preferably the lower ends of these spring elements B' are secured to the rear crossbar 3l) while the upper ends of such elements are secured to the longitudinally extending tie bars C' at their rear ends.

The tie bars C are spring metal strips arranged in pairs lengthwise of the spring structure from the forward crossbar A' to the spring elements B'.

The border frame E is substantially squareshape in plan and is made of band iron or the like. 'I'he forward rail 25 of the frame is received within the channel of the forward crossbar A and is riveted or otherwise rigidly secured to the forward depending flange 25 thereof. The side rails 21 and 28 of the frame extend through openings 29 and 29', respectively, in the rear depending flange 4D of the forward crossbar A and are provided between said flange 40 and the rear rail 3| of the frame with lateral flanges 27a and 28a.

The rear crossbar 30 is a relatively heavy strip-like member having inverted L-shaped end pieces 32 suspended from and secured to the lateral anges 21a and 23a of the side rails 2l and 28, respectively, of the border frame E'.

In the present instance, the horizontal part l l s of the forward crossbar A' has a series of spaced slots 20 that receive the forward ends of the spring metal tie bars C'. The horizontal part Ila is also provided with downturned tongues 2l that engage suitable openings 22 in the bars C to retain them in the slots 2U.

In this construction the tie bars C are connected and reenforced intermediate their ends by links 24 disposed substantially parallel to the forward crossbar A.

Thus, from the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have provided a very sturdy structure wherein the spring elements B and tie bars C' constitute the cushioning means. The tie bars C are effectively connected to the forward crossbar A. The spring elements B' are terminally supported between the tie bars C and rear crossbar 30, and the latter is supported by the L-shaped pieces 32 from the sides of the border frame E.

The structure disclosed is particularly adapted for theatre seats, however it may be used whereever desired for supporting upholstery of a seat. Such upholstery may rest upon and be secured in any desired manner to the spring structure.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. In a seat spring structure. a crossbar, and a plurality of longitudinally extending tie bars, said crossbar having two vertically oiset substantially horizontal parts and provided between said parts with slots, one of said horizontal parts having downturned tongues, and the tie bars resting upon the lower horizontal part and eX- tending through said slots and engaging the underside of the upper horizontal part, said tie bars having4 openings receiving the downturned tongues.

2. In a seat spring structure, a crossbar, and

a plurality of tie bars having openings therein, the crossbar having vertically oiset portions with slots therebetween, the tie bars extending through said slots and disposed in surface-tosurface engagement with the vertically offset portions, and tongues projecting from the upper offset portion and extending through the openings in said tie bars so as to prevent Withdrawal of the tie lbars from said slots.

3. In a seat spring structure, a crossbar, and l0 a tie bar, the crossbar having two stepped surfaces and a slot therebetween, the tie bar extending over one and under the other of said stepped surfaces and provided beneath the higher surface With an opening, and a tongue projecting from the higher surface and extending through said opening so as to prevent withdrawal of the tie bar from said slot.

E/DVVARD W. SCHLAPPRI'IZI. 

